Visual-rotary-index card file

ABSTRACT

The Visual-Rotary-Index Card File is a filing device developed to obtain obvious advantages. The invention is compact and inexpensive. It answers the bookkeeping requirements of the average small shop, or department of a larger enterprise, to keep accounts efficiently. Index cards are utilized and placed in hub slots in alphabetical or numerical order for ready reference without sorting through any cards. Cards are easily removed for entries of debits or credits, signing and dating, then replaced in the hub slot from which they were removed, thus remaining in file order. The handwheel with indices showing on its rim aids in locating any card in the file. The hub holds 100 index cards. Where more cards are needed, additional units are often utilized instead of larger units. The stand which supports the rotary file has a drawer with pull for the storage of extra index cards, indices, tabs, pen, etc., and upright supports for the rotary file axle ends which rotate in offset slots at the top of the uprights. Both the hub and the handwheel are light press-fitted on a square section of the axle. Index cards with or without frames are held in the hub slots by friction. The bottom of the offset slots bear the weight of the axle assembly. The upright nearest the handwheel holds a ticker flap that snaps over serrations around the side of the handwheel flange to hold the hub in a definite set position. The entire rotary file unit may be removed from the stand by lifting up on the axle ends to make room for another section of the file. Rotary file storage racks are utilized to store unused sections of the file safely, usually in a locked cabinet or a vault. Larger sizes to accommodate 500 or 1000 or more index cards are contemplated. When very large index cards are used, even to letter or legal size, frames for the cards that fit into the hub slots are found useful to support the outer ends of the index cards.

United States Patent Brown VISUAL-ROTARY-INDEX CARD FILE [76] Inventor: Roland Clough Brown, PO. Box

430, Del Mar, Calif. 92014 [22] Filed: Dec. 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 322,183

[52] US. Cl 312/189, 40/686, 312/59 [51] Int. Cl A47b 63/00, A47f 1/00 [58] Field of Search 312/50, 59, 97.1, 185-189;

Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg 571 I ABSTRACT The Visual-Rotary-lndex Card File is a filing device developed to obtain obvious advantages. The invention is compact and inexpensive. lt answers the bookkeeping requirements of the average small shop, or department of a larger enterprise, to keep accounts efficiently. lndex cards are utilized and placed in hub Nov. 19, 1974 slots in alphabetical or numerical order for ready reference without sorting through any cards. Cards are easily removed for entries of debits or credits, signing and dating, then replaced in the hub slot from which they were removed, thus remaining in tile order. The handwheel with indices showing on its rim aids in locating any card in the file. The hub holds 100 index cards. Where more cards are needed, additional units are often utilized instead of larger units. The stand which supports the rotary file has a drawer with pull for the storage of extra index cards, indices, tabs, pen, etc., and upright supports for the rotary file axle ends which rotate in offset slots at the top of the uprights. Both the hub and the handwheel are light press-fitted on a square section of the axle. Index cards with or without frames areheld in the hub slots by friction. The bottom of the offset slots bear the weight of the axle assembly.. The upright nearest the handwheel holds a ticker flap that snaps over serrations around the side of the handwheel flange to hold the hub in a definite set position. The entire rotary file unit may be removed from the stand by lifting up on the axle ends to make room for another section of the file. Rotary file storage racks are utilized to store unused sections of the file safely, usually in a locked cabinet or a vault. Larger sizes to accommodate 500 or 1000 or more index cards are contemplated. When very large index cards are used, even to letter or legal size, frames for the cards that fit into the'hub slots are found useful to support the outer ends of the index cards.

7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures The instant invention relates to a new, useful and unique filing device as an improvement over existing devices. The file is rotary and the top title line of each index card used is always visible, enabling any desired card to be located at a glance. No searching through a stack of cards is necessary to locate the file card in question.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a compact and inexpensive file for index cards of any size required to keep accounts and other files efficiently.

In conjunction with the above primary object, it is also a significant object of the instant invention to provide a visual file in which missing index cards would be noticed at once since open slots in the hub of the file would signal the losses.

Also, a general objective permits utilization of the invention to file index cards alphabetically, or numerically as desired, to fit the accounts on a slotted hub in rotary fashion.

Likewise, a significant object of the instant invention is to provide a stand for the rotary file which contains a drawer with pull for the storage of blank index cards, indices, tabs, pads, pens, etc.

A further object of the invention is to allow the rotary hub and the handwheel to be lifted intact on the axle from the stand to re-sort the accounts or for safe lockup.

Another object of the invention is to arrest the rotary motion of the hub near any desired index cards and hold it'there automatically by means of the ticker flap engaging the serrations on the handwheel flange.

Again, the instant invention permits the ready removal of any index card to make entries thereon simply by rotating the handwheel to the top position where it is held in place by the ticker flap, the index on the rim of the handwheel matching the tab on the top of the index cards in the file.

Basically, the instant invention presupposes the fact that theowner of a small business, or department of a larger business, entertaining charge customers wishes to serve them promptly when purchases or credits occur. He is enabled to do so with the rotary file, quickly and efficiently, without a major investment in a filing system.

Likewise, the instant invention permits maintenance of the index card file by simple replacement of inexpensive index cards of the'size utilized, cutting overhead to a minimum for this service.

These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of assembly and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, wherein like characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional top view of the assembled rotary file along cutting planes 1-1 in FIG. 2, showing hub 9 with two index cards inserted in hub slots, one with index card frame 12, both with tab 11, serrated handwheel with indices affixed on rim, all in position on the stand.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional front view of the assembled -rotary file along cutting planes 2-2 in FIG. 3, showing hub with index card slots on cylindrical surface with two index cards 8 with tab in position, serrated handwheel 5 with indices 7 affixed and with broken open portions showing sections of serrations around outer handwheel flange and serration notches in contact with ticker flap 4 and its screw adjustment and thumbscrew, .also showing hub and handwheel mounted on axle 6 and the entire assembly in position in axle slots on uprights of the stand 1 with its broken open portion of the storage drawer 2, containing spare index cards, indices, tabs, etc., with its pull.

FIG. 3 is a broken open portion of the storage drawer in a side view of the assembled rotary file showing square axle section for serrated handwheel and hub behind a stand'upright with its axle slot 13 for the axle end and the thumbscrew for the ticker flap and the storage drawer with pull 3 and screw fastener.

FIG. 4 is a broken off isometric view of a storage rack 15 for rotary file assemblies 14 with a capacity of 500 index cards.

To assemble the rotary file, press the hub over the left end and the handwheel over the right end of the square inner section of the axle. Make sure that the handwheel flange serrations face the axle end. Arrange the index cards in file order on the hub by pressing their bottom edges into the hub slots where they are held by friction. Attach the pull to the front of the drawer at the hole provided and tighten it up from the inside of the drawer with the screw provided with the pull. Screw the ticker flap into the tapped hole provided in the upright of the stand nearest the handwheel until in contact with the serrations on the handwheel flange. Affix stick-um indices around the rim of the handwheel to correspond to the tabs on index cards placed in the hub slots. Lift the assembled axle by the axle ends over the stand and drop it into the axle slots in the tops of the uprights of the stand. Place extra index cards in the storage drawer. To dismantle the rotary file, reverse the above operations.

To operate the rotary file, with the index cards in place on the hub inalphabetical or numerical or other order, and stick-um indices affixed to the handwheel rim, turn the handwheel until the index desired appears at the top of the handwheel, then glance at the index cards and note the nearest index tab which reads the same as the index on the rim of the handwheel, then pass along the index cards in this section of the hub and select the account name card desired. Remove this card from the file by pulling it upward from the slot in the hub. Make the necessary debit or credit entries or other notes as required on it, note the date and obtain any signatures if a charge purchase. Replace the index card in the rotary file by slipping the bottom edge of the index card into the slot in the file where it was re moved. It will again be held there by friction between the slot sides and the card surface in contact. In effect the card is refiled in its correct place in the rotary file. If the ticker flap that holds the file in any desired position becomes worn and loosens in the serrations on the flange of the handwheel, simply turn the ticker flap in by itsthumbscrew, lengthening the ticker flap a bit and tightening it up against the handwheel flange serrations for better holding action. If the axle begins to squeak on the support slots in the uprights, try a drop of oil on each bearing point. The storage drawer is operated by the pull. There is no maintenance expense and no pollution. Proceed to operate the rotary file for other accounts in a similar manner. To store it away safely when business for the day is done, simply lift off the file from the stand by the axle ends and place it in a safe place like the storage rack in a locked cabinet or the safe, since it is a smaller object than the whole file and stand. Extra index cards, tabs, stick-um indices, pen, pad, etc., are stored in the drawer. Each index card normally carries in the title line: the file name of 5 account, address and telephone number and immediately below this heading line the columns of the date, amount and signature for each entry.

Generally, the rotary file is made of plastic in colors to match office furniture, or of wood or metal, suitably finished and decorated.

'Some of the many advantages of the rotary file enable the user to store important information on index cards and then file them on the hub for later reference when needed like an address file, birthday file, family important dates file, Christmas list file in the home or an account file, wholesaler file, loan file, portfolio file, etc., in business, libraries, personnel sections, etc., at least expense in compact form for efficiency in which the card title appearing at the top edge of the card is always visible at a glance without removing the card from the file. The rotary portion of the file is small enough to be secured in the office or home safe. Additional rotary files may be stored when not on the stand in a storage rack of 500 indexcards capacity which may be conveniently kept in a locked file cabinet. The rotary feature permits ready access to all cards in the file in an instant by a spin of the handwheel and the visual inspection of the index card titles as they pass the top position. No maintenance is needed. When index cards are filled they are replaced with new cards from the storage drawer. A supply of index cards, tabs, stickum indices, pens, pads, etc., are kept on hand in the storage drawer when needed. t

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that a new, unique, not obvious, useful and simple rotary file for the storage of records has been devised by means of the rotary file and handwheel on one axle, supported by a stand with uprights, one of which nearest the handwheel carries a ticker flap which engages serrations in the flange of the handwheel to resist unwanted rotation of the handwheel and holds it in any desired position selected by the operation. Incidentally, while not detailed above, a rotary file of proper size can fit any filing problem by expanding the size of the index card and using frames or by increasing the volume of cards to be utilized, using additional units of the same size or increasing the diameter of the hub.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact fabrication and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as, for example, holes instead of slots for bearings, triangle to n-gon sections for the axle section other than the bearings, a onepiece hub, handwheel and axle, lock on the drawer, cover for the file and the stand, etc., all falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new and useful is as follows:

1. A Visual-Rotary-[ndex card file unit assembled on an axle of circular section at the bearings, but otherwise of other geometric section for the press fit of a hub with slot means completely around its cylindrical surface for holding index means consisting of large size index cards inserted in index card frames, formed with a fork section of two closely-spaced tines, each narrow frame of rectangular plan, the two together forming a sandwich with a stubby flap along the bottom side fitting snugly into the slot of the said slotted hub, one end of said axle fitted with handwheel means for turning said axle, and brake means to control the rotation of said axle by the operator, stick-um indices suitably spaced around the rim of said handwheel correspond to tabs on said index means, the whole assembly as a unit capable of being lifted off and on its stand means for storage and use by the operator.

,2. The combination of said file unit of claim 1 and a stand formed with a base containing storage means and two integral side uprights, each with a slotted guide at the upper end of said upright, to serve as bearings for the said axle which supports the said file unit when in use.

3. The combination of claim 2, except that the said storage means is an integral drawer with pull for opening and closing, fitted with a lock as desired, in the said base of said stand.

4. The combination of claim 3, except that the said storage means is a separate stand formed of an integral base and two braced uprights with multiple guide slots for holding file units which are normally locked away in dustproof cabinets for security.

5. The file unit of claim 1, except that the handwheel means has serrations all around the flange face near the rim on the side of said handwheel adjacent to the said hub when both are assembled on said axle.

6. The said file unit of claim 1, except that the brake means has an adjustable length ticker flap, actuated by the said handwheel serrations as the said handwheel is rotated, the said ticker flap being anchored in the said stand upright adjacent to the said serrated handwheel flange.

7. The said file unit of claim 1, except that the index means are standard size index cards, inserted in the said hub slots and heid there securely by friction from said slot sides when the bottom edge of the of said index card is pressed into said slot. 

1. A Visual-Rotary-Index card file unit assembled on an axle of circular section at the bearings, but otherwise of other geometric section for the press fit of a hub with slot means completely around its cylindrical surface for holding index means consisting of large size index cards inserted in index card frames, formed with a fork section of two closely-spaced tines, each narrow frame of rectangular plan, the two together forming a sandwich with a stubby flap along the bottom side fitting snugly into the slot of the said slotted hub, one end of said axle fitted with handwheel means for turning said axle, and brake means to control the rotation of said axle by the operator, stick-um indices suitably spaced around the rim of said handwheel correspond to tabs on said index means, the whole assembly as a unit capable of being lifted off and on its stand means for storage and use by the operator.
 2. The combination of said file unit of claim 1 and a stand formed with a base containing storage means and two integral side uprights, each with a slotted guide at the upper end of said upright, to serve as bearings for the said axle which supports the said file unit when in use.
 3. The combination of claim 2, except that the said storage means is an integral drawer with pull for opening and closing, fitted with a lock as desired, in the said base of said stand.
 4. The combination of claim 3, except that the said storage means is a separate stand formed of an integral base and two braced uprights with multiple guide slots for holding file units which are normally locked away in dustproof cabinets for security.
 5. The file unit of claim 1, except that the handwheel means has serrations all around the flange face near the rim on the side of said handwheel adjacent to the said hub when both are assembled on said axle.
 6. The said file unit of claim 1, except that the brake means has an adjustable length ticker flap, actuated by the said handwheel serrations as the said handwheel is rotated, the said ticker flap being anchored in the said stand upright adjacent to the said serrated handwheel flange.
 7. The said file unit of claim 1, except that the index means are standard size index cards, inserted in the said hub slots and held there securely by friction from said slot sides when the bottom edge of the of said index card is pressed into said slot. 